BusTalk

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Here we go again, this time on the "Joisey" side of the Hudson......

PATH service between Hoboken and the WTC, and JSQ-33rd was suspended due to a fire underneath one of the cars in a train at "NEWPORT" ("PAVONIA-NEWPORT"); a "loud explosion" was heard and the cars filled with yellow smoke, and flames could be seen licking the sides of the cars.

When the doors opened, passengers stampeded onto the platform, dashing for the exits.

As "the Tubes" is now ALL hi-tech, modern equipment these days, I'm waiting to see if "aging infrastructure" will be blamed for this blaze (thankfully, no serious injuries reported)

Service has just resumed (1010 WINS has just reported), after being out for over 4 hours.......stay tuned, fellows..........

"NYO"

["PAVONIA-NEWPORT"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Once again, yet again, I am MOST FORTUNATEL that I no longer have to rely on ANY form of mass transit; and, to think, I once commuted on the "tubes" daily for YEARS, and NEVER gave a second thought on my personal safety........of course, that was many, many years ago..........

"NYO"

["PATH"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

The "E" carved into this column at Newport stood for "ERIE"; through the late 1950s, the ERIE operated a large terminal at this location.

There were two IRT-type kiosks on each ERIE platform, and there was also a long inclined ramp (boasting America's first "Travelator") leading up into the main terminal.......

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?28411

Overall platform area-view (side platform was closed in the 1950s, but later re-opened, decades later)...............

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?28413

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)

["ERIE"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Update:

Just saw footage (Eyewitness News at Noon) of the orange/red/yellow flames, electrical flashes, and sparks issuing forth from under the stricken train, the flames and sparks eerily suggesting Dante's hellish "Inferno".....frightening as all h--l, for certain; again, thankfully, no serious injuries..........

"NYO"

["PORT AUTHORITY TRANS-HUDSON"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

This is what has replaced the "Mak-Adoo"-era block signals on "the tubes"............

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Positive_Train_Control

("430 REP"]

[W.B. Fishbowl]

I saw that . . . one wonders what role PATH's now 100% reliance on "Pea-Tee-See" played in this fire. That plus the cars themselves. While there may have been major mishaps in the "olden days" (namely, the 1942 disaster), it was nothing like this.

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

[W.B. Fishbowl]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

W.B.:

Well, they say that "great minds THINK alike"!

The now-veteran "R-68s" (aka "Brighton Belles") were the last cars delivered that were non-NTT (also, the last with roller curtains)

Things started to get interesting when, on the IRT, the "R-142" began arriving ("JETERbugs") and the "R-143s" (aka "Brontos") started running on the BMT/IND.

Rolling stock, signalling, etc., has become FAR TOO SOPHISTICATED for mass transit; years ago, you had mechanics and electricians working on the cars and signals; today, you need a FULL STAFF of NASA techs to keep today's trains (and "BINOs") running.............

"NYO"

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Investigation of today's PATH fire at Newport station now ongoing (I see my initial thought is pretty valid, as to the probable cause of this blaze)...................

https://rollingout.com/2025/08/04/path-train-to-suddenly-burst-into-flames/

["PORT AUTHORITY TRANS-HUDSON"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Anyone care to wager what was the cause of yesterday's serious PATH blaze?

In all honesty, I'm more and more leaning towards rolling stock issues, stemming (at least in part) from an overabundance of too-sophisticated hi-tech circuitry within the car itself..........

"NYO"

["PATH"]

[W.B. Fishbowl]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

W.B.:

Agreed, 100%.

Indeed, "Jan-OH!" would have been VERY vocal with the media, regarding PATH's "aging infrastructure".

With "the tubes" now using a fleet comprised of all NTT equipment, PLUS hi-tech "Pee-Tee-See" signaling, I'd LOVE to hear "Jan-oh's!" rationilzation on how "aging infrastructure" caused yesterday's blaze at the Newport Station (I STILL refuse to call the station by its current name; it will ALWAYS be "PAVONIA, in my book"!)

100-to-1, it was TOO MUCH hi-tech circuitry in the affected car itself that sparked the fire, which EASILY could have turned deadly..........

"NYO"

["PATH"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Further:

You also have to wonder............

Would the older (now retired) PATH cars (the older, non-NTT rolling stock) have suffered an on-board fire of the scorching intensity seen in yesterday's blaze?

Of course, NONE of those cars were "rolling iPads", and, therefore, NOT crammed to the gills with high-tech STAR WARS-type technology............

"NYO"

["ST. LOUIS CAR COMPANY"]

[W.B. Fishbowl]